Are you a tea connoisseur who can distinguish the nuances of fine blended teas or do you simply love your favourite blend of tea in your favourite cup? Whatever your affinity for tea is, you may be interested in attending the Toronto Tea Festival presented by Tao Tea Leaf at the Toronto Reference Library’s Bluma Appel Salon on Sat., Feb. 2, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to enhance your knowledge about tea culture.
Among the over 30 exhibitors, you’ll find representatives from Distinctly Tea, Herbal Infusions Premium Tea Co., Steeped, Rosedale Wellness Centre, T By Daniel, tea and all its splendour, The King Edward Hotel, Basilur Tea, Camellia Sinensis, tea leaves and Libre. While you are sampling hundreds of varieties of teas, you will be entertained by visual and performing artists including music, dance, photography and painting. Ancient Chinese and Korean tea ceremonies will be performed.
You’ll also be able to attend the following free seminars (space is limited):
- Tea and Health, 11:25 a.m.
- The Myths of Chinese Tea Culture, 12:20 p.m.
- Tea Mixology: Preparing Tea Cocktails, 1:15 p.m.
- Travelling in the Himalayas, 2:10 p.m.
- A Consumer’s Guide to Blended Teas and Herbal Infusions, 4 p.m.
Did you know that black tea, oolong tea, green tea and white tea are all made from leaves of the Camellia Sinensis tree? Black tea is more oxodized than the others, which results in it lasting several years while green tea loses its flavour within a year. Black tea is still the tea of choice in the Western world making up more than 90% of teas sold.
Tickets for the Toronto Tea Festival are $15. A limited number of tickets are available at the door. (Online tickets are no longer available.) Organizers advise to get there right at 10 a.m. to ensure you get a ticket.
Enjoying a cup of tea is more than the act of drinking a beverage. It’s the conscious act of taking a time out during your day to inhale the fragrant aroma, taste the hot, comforting liquid, breathe, pause, relax and reflect. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday.
Toronto Reference Library, Bluma Appel Salon, 789 Yonge Street, 2nd Floor
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